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English 142: The History and Grammar of English Spring 2012

Professor Judith Angona Phone: (732) 255-0400 (Ext. 2951) Email: [email protected] Office: Russell 222 Mailbox: Russell 215

Office Hours: Mon. & Thur. 11:00-12:15 Tues. & Fri. 9:30-10:45

Textbook: Commanding Sentences, 3rd ed. Helen Mills. Sheffield Publishing, 1984.

Materials: Reading Handouts; Notebook; MLA Guide; Word Processor; OCC ID. ______

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to English 142 (The History and Grammar of English), an elective course in the English Department at Ocean County College and a required course for “Kean at Ocean” English majors.

 English 142 consists of a series of classroom experiences and academic assignments that will teach you to recognize the elements of English grammar, construct precise and varied sentence structures, use appropriate levels of spoken and written language in professional settings, and understand the historical development of the English language.

 To pass English 142, you must complete the assigned textbook exercises, read the assigned handout materials, attend class and participate in class discussions regularly, successfully complete a poster presentation and a written research report, earn grades of “70” or better on a series of unit tests, and write a set of short in-class essay responses during our final class session.

English 142 is a college-level transfer course; to complete it successfully, you’ll need to work consistently, independently, and honestly.

BASIS FOR COURSE GRADE (*Potential point values: specific values will be proportionate to grades earned.)

Unit Tests ...... 50* points (each 10 points; lowest dropped) Written Research Report ...... 20* points Poster Presentation ...... 10* points In-Class Set of Short Essays ...... 10* points Class Participation ...... 10* points

REQUIRED CLASS BEHAVIOR  No cell phone use or text messaging during class; no routine “restroom” or “phone check” breaks; no leaving class early without prior permission from the instructor.  During daily lectures, discussions, oral presentations, or small group activities, you are expected to pay consistent attention and to demonstrate respect for the instructor and your peers at all times. [See also www.ocean.edu/civility.htm]

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR: Throughout the semester, I’ll be available to meet with you during my office hours posted above or at other times we mutually agree upon. Furthermore, you may email me between classes with urgent questions or concerns. If you have difficulty contacting me at a time of urgent need, you may seek assistance at the English Department Office in R 215.

Disclaimer: If it becomes necessary to make changes to these procedures and assignments (exclusive of course requirements, course calendar, and grading procedures) I will announce the changes in class and on Ocean Cruiser. ATTENDANCE 2 Absence and lateness hurt your progress in the course; therefore, I expect you to be on time and prepared for each session. Four absences are permitted without penalty. Five or six absences will lower your final course grade by at least one grade level; seven absences will withdraw you from the course. (See OCC Student Planner: “Attendance”)

WITHDRAWAL Before Monday, April 2, you may withdraw from this class with a "W" grade by getting my signature on a Course Withdrawal Form and returning the form to Registration and Records. After April 2, Ocean County College assigns an “F” grade for any non-completion of a course, regardless of the reason.

ASSIGNMENTS Your success in English 142 depends on keeping up with the schedule of assigned readings, practices, oral and written reports, and tests. You’ll need to spend one to two hours preparing your assignments for each class session.

DUE DATES AND MAKE-UP WORK You’re expected to have each assignment ready on its scheduled due date, whether or not you attend class on that day. When you are absent, check our Course Syllabus for assignments, and log in to Ocean Cruiser (at www.ocean.edu) for any assignment updates. Making up late work, according to the following timelines, is solely your responsibility:  A Unit Test missed because of absence must be taken within one week of the test day to earn full credit. After one week, a test makeup is considered late and its score will be dropped 10 points.  Two missed Unit Tests may be made up for full credit. Additional absence make-ups are limited to a grade of “80.”  Any test grade under “75” may be raised to as high as an “80” by a successful retest effort. (See me for retests.)  An oral presentation earns full credit only when presented in class on its due date. If you are absent, you will earn reduced credit (20 point penalty) by presenting your report to me at a later date, chosen at my discretion.  The written report may be handed in up to one week late; the grade will be lowered one level for late submission.  For full credit, the final short essay responses must be written in class at the scheduled time. (Late Penalty: 10 pts.)  There is no way to make up missed daily class participation opportunities.

WRITING-TO-LEARN ACTIVITIES Impromptu written practice activities may occur during class sessions. These practices will reinforce your learning of key topics. Occasionally, I may ask you to share them with other students or to hand them in.

RESEARCH In preparing your assigned report on the history of English, all quoted or paraphrased passages or ideas taken from print or internet sources must be correctly documented in MLA format within your report and listed on an MLA- style Works Cited Page that accompanies your report. Refer to a 2009 or later MLA guidebook for current models.

PLAGIARISM Ocean County College has a strict academic honesty policy that prohibits plagiarism of any form in completing academic work. Penalties for cheating on academic tests or writing assignments include course failure and possible suspension from the college. (See OCC Student Planner: Policy #5180, “Academic Honesty”)

CONFERENCES Please see me during my office hours or by appointment if you have questions or concerns about the course. If you have special educational needs, let’s talk about them early in the semester.

WORD PROCESSING LAB To type or print assignments for any English course, visit the Russell Computer Lab (R142).

WRITING CENTER The Writing Center (R124) offers English students free tutoring in writing, research, and documentation skills. Campus Resources and Services: Tutoring is available [a] in the Writing Center for writing assignments in all subject areas, not just English courses, and [b] in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. Tutoring information for all other subjects can be found on the Tutoring page on the college website. In addition, Study Strategy Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under “Academics.” More information on college services can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website (for example, under “T” for Tutoring or under “S” for Study Strategy Seminars). English 142 Instructional Syllabus 3

1/23 Getting Acquainted: Course Information and Syllabus (Handout)

1/26 Assignment of Poster Reports The Nature of Language: Discussion and Activities (Read Handout) ______

1/30 Unit One—“Basic Sentence Patterns” (Prepare Lessons 1-5 before class.)

2/2 Language History: The Origins of English

______

2/6 Unit Two—“Verbs and Adverbs” (Prepare Lessons 6-9 before class.)

2/9 Test: Units One and Two Discuss Anzaldua article. (Read Handout)

______

2/13 Language History: Old English

2/16 Unit Three—“More About Verbs” (Prepare Lessons 10-14 before class.)

______

2/20 College Holiday: No class.

2/23 Language History: Middle English ______

2/27 Unit Four—“Nouns and Modifiers” (Prepare Lessons 15-20 before class.)

3/1 Test: Units Three and Four Complete Middle English. ______

3/5 Unit Five—“More Basic Sentence Patterns” (Prepare Lessons 21-23 before class.)

3/8 Language History: Modern English Assignment of the Written Research Report

______

3/12-3/18 Spring Break: No classes.

______

3/19 Topics and Tentative Source Lists for Research Reports are due in class today. Unit Six—“Pronouns and Agreement” (Prepare Lessons 24-27 before class.)

3/22 No class today; research and drafting day

______

4 3/26 Test: Units Five and Six Language History: Contemporary English Dialects

3/29 Begin Unit Seven—“Coordination” (Prepare Lessons 28-29 before class.)

______

4/2 Complete Unit Seven (Prepare Lessons 30-32 before class.) Discuss Brathwaite Article (Read Handout) Today, Monday, 4/2 is the final date for “W” withdrawals.

4/5 Test: Unit Seven Class instruction on source use and documentation for research paper. ______

4/9 Unit Eight—“Subordination: Dependent Clauses” (Prepare Lessons 33-34 before class.)

4/12 Complete Unit Eight (Prepare Lessons 35-37 before class.)

______

4/16 Language Acquisition: Discussion and Activities (Read Handout)

4/19 The Written Research Report is due today. Unit Nine: “Subordination: Verbal Phrases” (Prepare Lessons 38-41 before class.)

______

4/23 Complete Unit Nine (Prepare Lessons 42-45 before class.)

4/26 Language Sounds and Spelling (Read Handout)

______

4/30 Test: Units Eight and Nine Unit Ten: “Punctuation and Capitalization” (Prepare Lessons 46-47 before class.)

5/3 Complete Unit Ten (Prepare Lessons 48-49 before class.)

______

5/7 Revised Research Reports are due today. Test: Unit Ten Language: Change and Variation (Read Handout)

5/10 In-Class Short Essay Responses

______5/14 Conference and Makeup Day

Graded Components of English 142 5

1. Unit Tests

There are six Unit Tests, each one following our study of one or more units in our grammar text. You’ll begin your study of each unit set with independent study and completion of written workbook practices on key grammatical principles. Next, we’ll reinforce your study with targeted classroom demonstrations and practice. Finally you’ll review and study to prepare for each Unit Test.

Your five best grades (the lowest test grade will be dropped) will be averaged to equal 50% of your final course grade. If you receive less than a “75” on any Unit Test, you should retake another version of the test to try to raise your grade to an “80.” Grade retakes must be scheduled with me; they must be accomplished within two weeks from the return of the original test paper.

The five Grammar Test grades will constitute 50% of your course grade.

2. Oral Poster Presentation

Each student will be responsible for a ten-minute presentation introducing one grammar lesson to the class. Using a well designed, coherent poster, you’ll display, explain, and guide the class through an original practice exercise on the key principles of your assigned lesson. Specific lesson assignments and further directions for the poster presentations will be distributed on a separate handout.

The Oral Presentation grade will constitute 10% of your course grade.

3. Research Report

In a four-page research paper, accompanied by a separate annotated works cited list, you’ll explore a topic related to the historical evolution of the English language. Topics and specific assignment directions will be distributed on a separate handout later in the semester (see date on syllabus).

The Research Essay assignment will constitute 20% of your final course grade.

4. Final In-Class Short Essay Responses

Your final graded assignment will consist of two in-class short essays to demonstrate that you understand concepts related to the historical evolution of the English language and the importance of language and dialect in contemporary American culture and education. Writing prompts for these essays, involving information covered in class lectures, handouts, and discussions over the course of the semester, will be distributed on the day of the writing itself. As you compose your short essays, you’ll be permitted to use both the notes you’ve taken during class lectures and the course handouts on language.

The In-Class Short Essay Responses will constitute 10% of your course grade.

5. Class Participation Class Participation credit will constitute the final 10% of your course grade.

OCC DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LITERATURE 6

English 142: The History and Grammar of English

Catalog Description: English 142 is an overview of the historical development and grammatical structure of the English language. The course provides intensive study of grammar, usage, and the mechanics of punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Emphasis is directed to practical application of traditional grammar rules in oral and written communication. The course also provides a foundation for an English major and for foreign language or E.S.L. studies. This course may not be substituted for English courses required for O.C.C. degrees. Prerequisites: ENGL-021 or ENGL-151 or permission of the instructor.

General Education Goals ENGL 142 addresses these OCC General Education goals:  Goal 2 —To develop the ability to communicate effectively through reading, listening, speaking and writing.  Goal 6 —To develop an understanding of the aesthetic and intellectual experience of literature and the arts.  Goal 7 —To develop an historical consciousness of the development of the English language.

Student Learning Objectives In ENGL 142, students will achieve the following course learning objectives:  Learn basic elements of language and be able to identify such elements in context.  Learn and apply traditional conventions of American usage in oral and written communication.  Recognize and utilize appropriate levels of language in academic and professional settings.  Learn to construct correct, precise sentences based on knowledge of formal grammar and standard English dialect.  Learn general rules for spelling and punctuation.  Focus on specific problems of usage, i.e., agreement of subject/verb and pronoun/antecedent, modification, pronoun reference, sequence of verb tenses, etc.  Increase the ability to use language effectively, avoiding careless errors, redundancy, and circumlocution.  Understand the historical origins and evolution of the English language.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of another writer’s words or ideas without disclosure of the source. All essays and papers submitted by students for credit in English courses at Ocean County College must make honest and full disclosure of any sources used, including but not limited to books, print articles, films and other media, the Internet, and professional or non-professional co-writers. Failure to make full disclosure of sources will subject students to penalties prescribed by Plagiarism Policy #5180. See the current student handbook-planner, Time Well Spent, for the complete text of this policy.

Campus Resources and Services Tutoring sessions for essay and term paper assignments in all courses are available in the English Writing Center (R124). More information on campus resources and services, e.g., student success seminars or tutoring in other subject areas, can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website (www.ocean.edu).

Students with Disabilities If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning disabilities or other kinds of disabilities, please feel free to discuss your needs with the instructor or with a staff member for Disability Services.

Syllabus Changes The instructor may make reasonable changes to this course syllabus by announcement in class.

Instructor Conferences To arrange a meeting with the instructor in addition to the regularly scheduled office hours, please contact the instructor directly or contact the Department of English. Phone 732-255-0375. E-Mail: [email protected].

Important Notes All individuals should not assume that anything received, sent, or stored in this course or in any course is private. Students’ written work, assignments, and test results may be used anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course content, support materials, and communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other forms of communication) may be used for quality assurance purposes by authorized college administrators.

Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC ([email protected]).

Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.

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